As an enthusiastic professional, you will join a motivated team who provide an advisory service which supports science and technology education in Scottish schools. You will develop close working relationships with Local Authority officers and other key stakeholders in Scottish technology education.
You will have at least 5 years teaching experience in a wide range of technology subjects in the school education sector. You will have experience in supporting career long professional learning (CLPL) and an understanding of the CLPL needs for teachers, PTs, HOFs and school support staff.
Complementing your professional expertise, you will bring excellent team playing, communication and organisational skills, an interest in Health and Safety in an educational environment and a love of practical work. The ideal candidate must be confident with using software on both PC and Apple platforms and can demonstrate experience using CAD software packages e.g. CREO 2.0 or Autodesk Inventor. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have a passion for both workshop machinery and programmable devices.
This is a full-time, high profile role based in Dunfermline. It will involve regular visits to locations throughout Scotland. There is plenty of scope for personal and professional development offered to the post holder.
The post is offered on a 12 month secondment or fixed term basis.
Important changes are taking place to Education Scotland’s websites. Find out more>>
Preparations are underway for a major update to the Education Scotland websites to ensure we continue to meet the needs of practitioners as Scotland’s education system evolves.
By November, four sites will be available, which will be search-driven to help users quickly access the information they seek.
Corporate website – with information about Education Scotland, policy and legislation, news, Scotland’s education system and our role in it
The National Improvement Hub – the dedicated source of education improvement materials and resources for education practitioners
Parentzone Scotland – the dedicated information site developed for, and with, parents
National Qualifications site – providing practitioners with support materials for qualifications.
In preparation, we have been reviewing the content on our current sites. Education improvement materials and resources that remain relevant are being moved to the National Improvement Hub. Some topic-specific content is being moved to partner organisations and will appear on their websites. Other content is being archived for future consideration, and may be deleted or re-worked and used again. Where content has already been moved, site visitors will find a relevant link or message.
The websites with sciences and learning for sustainability content will be affected as follows:
STEM Central – core content is being migrated to the National Improvement Hub. The site in its current format will no longer be available beyond end of October 2016.
Weather and Climate Change – core content is being migrated to the National Improvement Hub. The site in its current format will no longer be available beyond end of October 2016.
Exploring Climate Change – core content is being migrated to the National Improvement Hub. The site in its current format will no longer be available beyond end of October 2016.
NQ Higher Sciences – content is being migrated to the new National Qualifications site. The site in its current format will no longer be available beyond end of October 2016.
Giant Pandas – the site in its current format will no longer be available beyond end of October 2016. In time, some of the content will appear on the Beyond the Panda website developed by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Schools Global Footprint – this website is being deleted and will no longer be available beyond the end of October 2016.
Ready for Emergencies – the site in its current format will no longer be available beyond the end of October 2016. The content is currently being migrated to Scottish Government’s Ready Scotland website.
NQ Course Material Glow site – materials that have been developed for NQ Sciences by Education Scotland will appear on the new National Qualifications site. Most of the other material developed and shared by local authorities will not be available beyond the end of October 2016.
Sciences and Learning for Sustainability pages on Education Scotland’s Corporate site – core content will remain but there will be a significant reduction in content in the resources and sharing practice sections. Some content will be migrated to the National Improvement Hub.
Due to the volume of content being migrated there may be a period of time at the end of October where some content being retained may not be available on the National Improvement Hub or partner websites. We will be endeavouring over the coming weeks to minimise any loss in continuity to this material.
The New York Academy of Sciences is inviting girls aged 13 – 19 years to participate in an exciting initiative called the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures programme with the Global STEM Alliance! Fourteen Scottish girls participated in the pilot programme last year with two girls being invited to represent Scotland at the concluding event in New York. Visit this blog to see how one girl benefitted: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/STEMcentralinmotion/2016/08/24/girls-into-stem-new-york-style/
Girls participating in the program are matched with a specially-selected STEM mentor and given access to a virtual platform hosting immersive content that will help them develop their 21st century skills – leadership, communication, and critical thinking. In addition, mentees can also take advantage of the college and university readiness module, live online engagements and webinars with inspirational guest speakers, a global, female community, and relevant, important discussions surrounding different STEM topics.
If you know of any girl interested in STEM who would be willing to commit to the programme then please encourage them to apply via the following link: http://www.1000girls1000futures.org/
Please note that the deadline for applications is Friday 7th October.
SSERC is still taking applications for places on Leading for Excellence in Science course. The course carries full accreditation by the General Teaching Council for Scotland under its Professional Recognition scheme.
Our delegates will be those who have, or aspire to have, responsibility for leading science education in their establishments. Although some leadership skills are generic, there are aspects of science education which require specific leadership skills and have particular management responsibilities. These particular responsibilities, as well as wider leadership issues, will be considered in science specific contexts.
Coverage will include:
Curriculum and course development issues with particular reference to CfE
Areas for development identified in HMIe report Science: A portrait of current practice in Scottish Schools and The Sciences 3-18 Impact Report, 2012
Improving learning and teaching through self-evaluation
Approaches to managing science health and safety issues
Science departmental/faculty issues and policies
Leading teams and managing change
For those teaching in local authority schools or colleges funding of £1080 from the National STEM Learning Centre is available to offset the course fee (£850)
This opportunity is suitable for STEM secondary/FE professionals with an interest in Higher / Advanced Higher (or equivalent) in biology.
Going on a placement at the University of Glasgow will help you to:
Inspire your students – increase your own understanding by attending lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions in life sciences, medicine, genetics, molecular and cell biology. Meet with students, researchers and lecturers working in Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at Glasgow and gain and insight into the breadth of curriculum content available to students entering this field.
Build strong links with a local university – connect with a local university to develop staff and student experiences, with the aim of creating a longer term partnership. Help to boost your students’ confidence in making degree and career choices. Find out more about the skills and competencies required for a science-based career and gain ideas for future collaboration (e.g. work experience, mentoring, speakers).
Enhance your advice on careers options– gain useful information about how to support students to make university applications through UCAS, and develop a wider knowledge of how to support students in making career decisions, taking into account future STEM industries.
University Information:
The University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) brings together internationally renowned experts and state-of-the-art facilities with the goal of improving health and the quality of life for humans and animals across the globe. As well as a huge research portfolio, the college provides innovative teaching, preparing students for a wide variety of exciting careers. Students can choose from a broad array of subjects (more than 20 degree programmes) in the life sciences, from A (Anatomy) to Z (zoology), or alternatively, the clinical subjects; medicine (including programmes in medicine, nursing and dentistry) and the veterinary medicine programmes.
The University of Glasgow has just over 19,000 undergraduate students coming from around the world and gaining a place to study is highly competitive. Arming school teachers with insight and knowledge about current teaching practices and approaches will give their pupils the best chance to secure a place at the University and prepare them for higher education. We aim to support this, by giving teachers of Higher level biology, a guided tour through teaching at all levels in the university and provide them with the additional information they need to support their pupils, particularly in view of the recent changes by the SQA in the Advanced Higher biology “curriculum for excellence”.
Outcomes
This ENTHUSE bursary funded placement offers you an opportunity to:
• provide inspirational experiences for teachers, which will in turn help them to inspire their students
• support the transition between National Qualifications and Higher Education, helping to highlight routes of study and future STEM related careers
• develop firmer links between school / college and university
• equip your school or college in response to the Government’s careers strategy
This will provide you with links to our Bulletins and upcoming CLPL events.
If you need to contact us about curricular or health and safety matters please email sts@sserc.org.uk or visit our website www.sserc.org.uk
SSERC has provided a range of equipment to Local Authorities on long term loan.
5 Mystrica Mark II colorimeters which can be connected to PCs, iPhones, iPads and Android devices
UV-A sensor, voltage probe, Geiger-Müller tube, light sensor, gas pressure sensor and magnetic field all of which connect to the Vernier Labquest 2 data logger made available last year.
Independent schools wishing to borrow any of the above items should contact SSERC directly.
We have also sent for Technology Departments in all secondary schools a ‘Band Saw Buddy’ and an Inventor’s micro:bit kit. To find your local authority contact for this equipment please click here
Professional Learning @ SSERC
TECHNICIAN Courses
Please see our website for the range of SQA certificated courses.
Immerse yourself in the world of industry and university
The STEM Insight programme, run by the National STEM Learning Centre, offers you an invaluable chance to experience STEM-related work in industrial or university settings and learn more about diverse career paths and opportunities.
Insight into industry
During a placement, develop your knowledge of STEM careers and routes for your students to progress into STEM-related employment. Work with world-leading employers across a range of STEM industries such as manufacturing, engineering, medical, computing and many others.
Insight into university
Spend time in a leading UK university and learn about the latest cutting edge research in your field. Support your students as they make the transition to university.
Why should I?
gain first-hand experience and up-to-date knowledge of the range of STEM related careers and the progression routes available you will be supported by a tailored package of face-to-face and online CPD
you will be supported by a tailored package of face-to-face and online CPD enrich your teaching of the STEM curriculum by linking to careers
enrich your teaching of the STEM curriculum by linking to careers
help your students to make better informed choices about their futures
make long-term links with employers and universities
build a network of industry/university experts and share your knowledge across schools and colleges
be part of the nationwide drive to improve careers education
This is made possible by the generous support of our partners in Project ENTHUSE: the Wellcome Trust, Department for Education, BAE Systems, Biochemical Society, BP, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Rolls-Royce, Royal Commission for the 1851 Exhibition, Institution of Structural Engineers, IBM and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Stemettes are running a “Monster Confidence” event at Glasgow University on the 8th September for women who may be interested in STEM careers.
The aim is to give girls and young women aged 15 – 22 a boost of ‘Monster Confidence’ for pursuing careers in STEM. The half day sessions offer a packed schedule of workshops, opportunities to meet the industry and inspirational content, including keynotes by Professor Muffy Calder and Jenni Doonan.
The tour is in partnership with Monster, the jobs and skills company, and sponsored by Rolls Royce, Salesforce, Deutsche Bank, Accenture and the University of Glasgow. The day will involve mock interviews, speed mentoring and exhibits, and should be fun!
Demonstrations can be used to enrich understanding across the sciences. This course will provide you with opportunities and ideas that will enhance your teaching. We will focus on the use of demonstrations in chemistry teaching from S1-S6. The course is open to teachers at all stages of their career but will be of particular value to those who have recently qualified. We warmly welcome applications from both teachers and technicians.
We will use the laboratory facilities at SSERC in Dunfermline. Meals and overnight accommodation (10/3/2017) will be provided.
A detailed programme will be available at http://www.sserc.org.uk/. Only 15 places are available, so early application is advised.
The course fee is £480 to include meals, accommodation and course materials. Local Authority schools and FE colleges will be entitled to receive an ENTHUSE Award of £540 to cover the cost of the course. This grant is administered through the National Science Learning Centre. Only 15 places are available, so early application is advised.
Develop your leadership and management skills to develop a constantly improving department or faculty
Curriculum for Excellence aims to bring about transformational change and en-sure the best possible education for our children and young people. The Scottish Government recognises the pivotal role of science within CfE. Management structures in schools and colleges are diverse resulting in posts of responsibility for science faculties and combinations of science subjects as well as principal teachers of biology, chemistry and physics. As a consequence of these factors and the increasing emphasis on the need for teachers to take increased responsibility for what they teach and their own self evaluation, the role of science leaders has never been more important.
This course is aimed at all of those who have, or aspire to have, responsibility for leading science education in their establishments.
Although some leadership skills are generic, there are aspects of science education which require specific leadership skills and have particular management responsibilities. These particular responsibilities, as well as wider leadership issues, will be considered in science specific contexts.
The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline with accommodation being provided at the King Malcolm Hotel
